Welcome to 8 th Grade Parent’s Night

1. Welcome to 8th Grade Parent’s Night HKHS January, 23, 2014 Check Out the Web Site: www.rsd17.org Please visit the HKHS School Counseling Web Page!

2. HKHS Counseling Highlights • 620 current students • Approximately 71% Attending 4 year colleges • Approximately 21% Attending 2 Year schools • Approximately 8% employed or entering the military. • Over $2,507,800.00 was earned in Merit money • Approximately $63,925 awarded in local and regional scholarships • Approximately 32 Senior students were eligible for State of Connecticut Capitol Scholarships (1800 or higher SAT, 27 or higher on ACT, or top 20%)

3. HKHS Counseling Highlights(cont’d) • Where do our graduates go? • American University • Arizona State Univesity • Boston College • Boston University • Bringham Young • Central Connecticut • Clarkson • Coast Guard Academy • College of Charleston • Colby College • University of Connecticut • Cornell University • Dartmouth College • Fordham University • George Washington University • Gateway Community College • Kenne State College • Lehigh University • Marist University • Merchant Marine Academy • University of Miami • Michigan State • Montana State • University of New Hampshire • Middlesex Community College • NYU • University of North Carolina- Ashville and Charlotte • Northeastern Unvisersity • Penn State University • Princeton University • Quinnipiac University • University of Southern California • SUNY- Stony Brook, Oneonta, Geneseo • University of Tampa • Ohio State University • Virginia Tech • Yale University

4. Pre-College Credit Opportunities • Advanced Placement (AP) • Students interested in pursuing college level studies may also opt for full year AP courses. • AP Exams are administered in May- it is up to each individual college if they will accept credit based on the student’s AP exam grade (typically awarded with a score of 3 or better on the exam). • AP courses currently offered: • English: Literature (12th Grade) • English Language and Composition (11th Grade) • Biology • Chemistry • US History • Spanish Language • Calculus AB • Probability and Statistics • French Language • Environmental Science • Physics • Psychology • Human Geography • Music Theory • Studio Art

5. Pre-College Credit Opportunities • UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) • ECE provides academically motivated students the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school. Students preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college and earn college credits that provide both an academic and financial head start on a college degree. • Students must earn a C or better to receive UCONN credit. • Current ECE course offered: Physics (4 and 8 credits), Spanish Composition, Environmental Science (alternating years), and Horticulture (alternating years)

6. Pre-College Credit Opportunities • Middlesex Community College and Wesleyan University High School Partnership Programs • Starting Spring of junior year, students can apply to take one course tuition free. Acceptance is based on grades, standardized test performance and recommendation. • This spring, 14 students are enrolled at Middlesex and two are enrolled at Wesleyan.

7. Pre-College Credit Opportunities • Project Lead The Way (PTLW) • PTLW is an innovative, pre-engineering and technology education partnership program specially developed for secondary schools. • Preparing a diverse group of students to be successful in engineering and engineering technology programs. • Students must earn and 85% or higher in the course and a 70% or higher on the final exam. • College Career Pathways (CCP) • A planned program of studies in which students may earn both graduation credit and college credit from Middlesex Community College (MXCC) for designated courses. Students must have a C+ average at the beginning of junior year to be eligible for this program. • All CCP courses must be taken in junior or senior year. • Students are expected to earn a B- or better in each course AND earn a 70% on the Middlesex Final Exam for each course. Required courses are: Speech & Debate, Algebra 2, and Physical Science, AND one of the following Career course(s): Broadcast Journalism, Accounting 1&2, Computer Skills 1004MX & 1005MX, Intro. To Child Development. • Students must request their transcript be sent from the MXCC to the colleges of their choice for transfer credits.

8. COLLEGE FAIR • April 09, 2014 All students in grades 9 – 11 will visit the fair • Day time 10:00am – 11:30 am • Please feel free to stop by and visit colleges, as our fair is open to the public. • Over 150 colleges represented at last year’s fair • Colleges from Maine to California • 2 year and 4 year institutions • Career and Technical Programs • SAT Prep Programs • Scholarship Representatives

9. Standardized Testing Trends • HKHS is a test site for both the SAT and ACT • This provides students with a “home field advantage” when testing. • SAT- average scores for the Class of 2013 • Critical Reading- 508 • Math- 501 • Writing- 514 • ACT- average scores for the Class of 2013 • English- 24.7 • Math- 23.4 • Reading- 25.9 • Science- 24.4 • Composite- 24.7

10. Graduation Requirements • 24 credits • 4 English • 3 Social Science (2 World Histories, 1 US History/Civics) • 3 Math • 3 Science • 2 Vocational and/or Fine Arts • 1.5 Physical Education • .5 Health *(PE & Health can be spread out over 4 years)* - 7 Additional Credits • Computer Literacy • Algebra 1 Taken in MS or HS • 30 hours of Community Service by the start of Senior year for Senior Privileges (parking, etc.) **World Language (Rec. vs Req.)- Counts as an elective-should complete through third level.

11. Selecting Courses • Schedules: • No Typical Schedule • Mix of Honors and College Prep Courses • When considering Honors focus mainly on individual strengths • Students Should: • Check the Teacher Recommendation Form and see what is recommended. • Consider their time commitment to outside activities (i.e. dance, sports, babysitting, etc.) and how it relates to the amount of time they may have to dedicate to homework each night. • Consider their own self-awareness (stress and maturity levels)

12. More on the recommendation process • Contact to your present teachers if you have questions or concerns. • Talk to your school counselor. • Check graduation requirements to assist in planning. • Carefully select courses for next year. • Carefully evaluate the rigor of your course selections (college prep or honors?). • Have the form signed by your parent or guardian and include your email address. • DUE JANUARY 27th to Mr. Fortin, HKMS

13. Career and Vocational Programs • Business/Computer Education Department Offers a variety of courses to equip students with the knowledge base and foundation skills for college, career, and personal success. Course offerings include computer skill courses as well as accounting, marketing and management, and business law. • Family and Consumer Science Department This department is made up of two programs: Child Development and Culinary Arts. Students interested in childhood education, childhood development, pediatrics, or child psychology should take classes in the Childhood Development class. Students will learn about restaurant operations, food purchasing and preparing meals in quantity. Practical experience will be gained by the operation of the school’s restaurant, The Cougar Café, as well as preparing meals for senior citizens, and special dinners throughout the year. Cont’d…

14. Career and Vocational Programs • Technology Education Department Technology Education prepares students to be technologically aware, literate, sensitive, capable, and competent in a rapidly changing technological society. All students should actively participate in broad experiences in communications, transportation, manufacturing/production, and engineering. Students must understand technological innovation, the impacts of the products and processes of technology on the quality of life, and the need for critical evaluation and societal matters involving consequences of technology. Students must learn how to carry out the application of scientific, mathematical, technological, and experientially-based problem solving. • On-line Learning Virtual/on-line courses delivered over the internet allow students the opportunity enroll in classes that are unique to their career goals, allow for credit recovery, and provide course opportunity when scheduling is a problem. Homework assignments are normally submitted electronically and all communication with the teacher occurs via electronic media. • Vinal Technical High School, Middletown A regional technical high school offering four year programs in a wide variety of vocational areas including auto body repair, auto mechanics, carpentry, machine drafting, electricity, electronics, health service occupations, machine tools, computer technology, and practical nursing. If you are interested in Vinal, please speak with your school counselor.

15. Can I take this class? – How to determine if a course fits you? • You can read about each class offered at HKHS in our Opportunities Book. • Please check to see that you fit the criteria for each class you are signing up for including prerequisites and grade level. • SAMPLE 1- (Freshmen not eligible) • #20103– Basic Automotive Systems Prerequisites: None Credits 0.5 Open to: 10, 11, 12 Duration: one semester Course Description: In this course,… • SAMPLE 2- (Freshmen eligible) • #13202– Technical Metals Prerequisites: None Credits 0.5 Open to: ALL Duration: one semester Course Description: This course will serve all students who are …

16. Athletics at HK…A Sports Physical is required every 12 months (available on web Site)

17. Co-Curricular Activities • Computer Club (Technology Student Organization) • Cougar Chronicle • French Honor Society • Gay, Lesbian and Straight Students (GLASS) • Geocaching Club • HK Players • High School Bowl • Human Relations Club (HRC) • International Culture Club • Math League • National Art Honor Society (NAHS) • National Honor Society • OPTICON Yearbook • Pep Band • Reflections • Spanish Honor Society • Student Council • Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) *Students will receive an updated copy of all activities at Freshmen Orientation! We encourage all students to participate in clubs that support their interests.

18. Grade 9 Expectations • Stay organized and set priorities • Do HOMEWORK! • School Work is Homework • Prep for Success (1st marking period minimum) • EXPLORE Academic Readiness and Career Assessment (October 2013) • Advisory period weekly for high school career • Begin Community Service ASAP – summer before grade 9 • Visit College Fair • Get involved – sports, clubs, drama

19. Adjusting to the high school • Ways to get extra help: • Prep for Success- required for all freshmen for the first ten weeks. • Lunch/Activity- library, small groups, teacher’s class. • Afterschool library hours- 2:10-4:45. Over seen by a certified teacher. • Peer tutors- upperclassmen that volunteer during lunch. • Volunteer tutors.

20. HKHS Schedule

21. Freshmen Orientation • Held in Late August • Students receive their schedules in the mail mid-August and an additional copy at Orientation • HKHS Student Ambassadors will show freshmen around the building and answer any questions • Students will meet their HR teachers • Parents will meet with Principal and Assistant Principals while students tour the building • Light refreshments in the café following the presentation

22. Contact Information Check Out the Web Site: www.rsd17.org Please visit the School Counseling Web Page! HKHS School Counseling Department 860-554-5750 • Maryann Grimaldi, Dean of Academics x 3503, mgrimaldi@rsd17.org • Stacey Mahoney, School Counselor x 3505, smahoney@rsd17.org • Peter Ettlinger, School Counselor x 3506, pettlinger@rsd17.org • Justine Moriarty, School Counselor x3504, jmoriarty@rsd17.org